Using Adolescent SBIRT With Simulation to Teach Nursing Students Substance Use Assessment

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based protocol for early identification and treatment for substance use. Adolescents are a high-risk group for substance use.

SBIRT simulation was conducted among nursing students (n = 79). Surveys were administered before (pretest), immediately after (posttest 1), and 3 weeks (posttest 2) after simulation. Outcome scores including attitude, role security, therapeutic commitment, knowledge, confidence, competence, readiness, and response to scenarios and cases were compared between traditional undergraduate nursing students who received educational reinforcement before the posttest 2 survey and postbaccalaureate students.

Mean scores for attitude, role security, knowledge, confidence, competence, readiness, and scenarios or cases improved significantly after the simulation (p < .005). Traditional undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students had similar posttest 1 and posttest 2 scores.

After SBIRT simulation, outcomes improved and were maintained after educational reinforcement, which could increase the success of interventions for substance use among adolescents. [.